Abstract
Sulfur Capturing Efficiency of Dolomite by using Eschka Mixture Method
Author(s): Nabeel Rana*This research investigated the effectiveness of Pakistani dolomites in capturing sulfur from Makarwal coal samples using Eschka mixture method. Makarwal coal was found to contain moisture 3%, ash 29%, volatile matter 30%, sulfur 5.4%, and fixed carbon 38% and GCV 4900 kcal/kg. Three types of dolomites from Kalarkahar, Jhelum and Mianwali regions were tested with different coal to dolomite ratios (1:1, 1: 2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, and 1:7). Both calcined and non-calcined dolomites and calcium carbonates were tested and compared in this study. The standard Eschka method was adopted for determination of sulfur in combusted coal sulfur. A blank run was conducted using standard MgO/Na2CO3 reagents for sulfur determination. It was found that the sulfur captured efficiency of all dolomites increased by increase dolomite ratio and optimum results were obtained at higher ratios of 1:6 and 1:7. Dolomite can be used for capturing of sulfur in low grade coal i.e. in which sulfur is present up to 4%. It is also noticed that dolomite on decarboxylation can release more calcium oxide which is active site for capturing for sulfur as compared to calcium carbonate. Abbottabad dolomite shows more effectiveness as compared to other dolomites in both calcined and non-calcined form.
